On Monday, a significant humanitarian effort took place in Baga town, Kukawa Local Government Area, Borno State, where approximately 23,000 households received food palliatives. This distribution was directly supervised by the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Umara Zulum. The initiative aimed to address the pressing issue of food security in the region, particularly due to the challenges posed by the decade-long Boko Haram insurgency, which has made farming and commercial activities difficult for many communities.
The distribution was carried out as part of the agenda set forth by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who declared an emergency on food security. In line with this objective, the Borno State Government has been distributing food items to various communities. On the particular day of this event, more than 20,000 men and women received essential food and non-food items.
Governor Zulum has been actively working on creating sustainable livelihoods for the people in the region by reviving commercial activities and encouraging farming. However, recognizing that some beneficiaries may not be able to farm in sufficient quantities to sustain themselves throughout the year, the governor has frequently organized food palliative distributions.
In the recent intervention in Baga, the food palliatives reached 13,000 households in Baga town itself, 3,500 households in Cross Kauwa (a nearby town), and 6,500 households in Doro Baga (another community). In total, 23,000 households were assisted during this distribution.
Each household received bags of rice, spaghetti, and maize grain. Additionally, women in these households received a wrapper each. The distribution criteria varied slightly depending on the location. In Baga, male heads of households received a bag of rice and a bag of maize grain each, while female members received a carton of spaghetti and a wrapper. In Doro Baga, 3,500 male heads of households received a bag of rice and maize grain each, while 3,000 females received a carton of spaghetti and a wrapper. In Cross Kauwa, 1,500 male heads of households received a bag of rice and maize grain each, while 2,000 females received a carton of spaghetti and a wrapper.
The distribution was not only supervised by Governor Zulum but also involved the participation of various officials, including Engr Bukar Talba, Chairman of Borno’s palliative task force, and Dr. Barkindo Muhammad Saidu, Director General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA). Several other representatives and advisers from both federal and state government bodies were also present during the distribution.
The successful humanitarian trip was a collaborative effort, and Governor Zulum returned to Maiduguri on Monday night after overseeing the distribution. The initiative was crucial in providing immediate relief to the households in need and addressing the food insecurity in the region, while efforts to develop sustainable livelihoods through farming and commercial activities continue.
